Starting Yesterday, May 21st, IRCC’s Parents & Grandparents Program started issuing ITAs to sponsors. Individuals who have applied under the PGP and submitted the “Interest to Sponsor” forms have the chance to receive the ITAs.

Notably, IRCC aims to issue 35,700 invitations within two weeks from yesterday. It also hopes to approve 20,500 complete applications for Canada’s permanent residence (PR).

ITAs will be delivered to the sponsor’s mail provided in their “Interest to Sponsor” form by the department.

Parents & Grandparents Program Started Issuing ITAs: Who may obtain an ITA for 2024?

In order to obtain an ITA under 2024 PGP, sponsors must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• Sponsors must have submitted an Interest to Sponsor form on IRCC’s website in 2020 and not received an ITA in any of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023.
• They must be 18 years or older.
• They must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act;
• They must live in Canada. Sponsors will require proof of their status during the Interest to Sponsor phase.
• For this program, sponsors must exceed the minimum necessary income level. If married or in a common-law relationship, both sponsor’s and spouse’s income can be included. They must submit proof of income to IRCC.
• They must sign an undertaking satisfying the following:

1. They must agree to support the sponsored person financially for 20 years. It starts when they become a PR. Quebec’s applicant needs to sign an undertaking for ten years.
2. If applicable, they must agree to repay any and all social assistance benefits paid to the sponsored family members for 20 years. and
3. An additional undertaking is required if the sponsor resides in Quebec. It must be signed with the province of Quebec.

What should you do after receiving an invitation under PGP?

When a sponsor obtains an invitation, they must respond to it with an application within the application deadline. IRCC specifies the application deadline in the invitation mail sent to the sponsors. 

In addition, they must pay the pay application fees at this stage which generally begins at $1205 CAD. 

IRCC department suggests sponsors read and understand the instructions guide completely and then complete the application process.

It’s necessary that you submit a complete application to IRCC within the specified time. This is because an incomplete application, late application submission, or completion of the correct application may be subject to rejection or processing complications depending on the situation. 

The department will return an application if:

• It’s incomplete 
• If it is submitted late after the deadline 
• If required fees are not paid 
• If the applicant did not receive an ITA and/ or
• If the information in the application and within the interest to sponsor form does not match

An applicant must submit the application through the PR portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal in case the applicant is taking the help of a representative.

What if you don’t receive a PGP invitation this year?

2024 is the fourth consecutive year that IRCC will only invite candidates under the PGP from the 2020 application intake.

Looking at the IRCC target, many sponsors may worry about what if they don’t receive an ITA. There’s an alternative pathway for Canadian immigration. This pathway enables Canada’s citizens and PRs to reunite with their parents and grandparents. It is Canada’s Super Visa. 

It’s a TR stream that allows parents and grandparents of Canada’s citizens and PRs to be sponsored to visit and stay in Canada temporarily. 

A super visa permits a member to stay for five years in a single visit without being required to renew their status. Also, this visa is open for an extension of up to two years, allowing the family members to stay for seven years in a single visit.

A super visa is an effective and year-around pathway allowing parents and grandparents to live in Canada with a temporary resident status. Also, there are no limits on applications under this pathway that IRCC would process within a year.

So, if you are willing to bring your loved ones to Canada, it can be a valuable pathway. Also, IRCC’s Parents & Grandparents Program has started issuing ITAs, and you may be among the lucky ones to receive an invitation this year.

Not a sponsor but interested in immigrating to Canada and have concerns about the process and pathways? Feel free to connect with our experienced immigration experts for help at NavaImmigration. You can also send us an email at [email protected]